Mr Wen started his tour on Sunday with a trip to the MG Motor car factory in Longbridge, near Birmingham, which is owned by China's biggest car manufacturer SAIC.

He was there to launch the first new MG car in 15 years. Mr Wen said: "The model can be summed up as designed in the UK, manufactured in China and assembled in the UK, thereby making the most of China's capital and markets, as well as the UK's technology and managerial expertise."

Mr Wen was welcomed by UK Trade Minister Stephen Green who said SAIC was a "pioneer for Chinese investors in the UK".

"One of the main reasons for [China's] decision to invest here is the research and development available to them in the UK," Lord Green said. "They will be able to develop new products, export and become more profitable because of the advantages of doing business here."

Today the Chinese Premier will meet David Cameron at the annual UK-China Summit in London, where they are expected to discuss trade links, as well as the European debt crisis and human rights.

A series of deals will come out of the summit, including a $1.5bn (£940m) contract for a British company to provide China with new clean coal technology.

UK-based Seamwell International will collaborate with China Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection Group to develop an underground electricity plant powered by clean coal in Inner Mongolia. London's Imperial College helped develop the technology behind the plant.

This is the Chinese premier's second trip to Europe in just nine months, highlighting China's growing interest in investing in Europe.